Present: Jennifer Jay, Carmen Garcia, Bobbe Abts, Debbie Christensen, Arlene Spaniol, Lucinda Bernardino, Beverly Rambicure, Stacy North, Allison Brown, Scott Lockwood, Sandy, Boe, Cheryl Wlodarski, Fran Donovan, Emma Ehrlich, Nelson Cortes, Rafael Ocampo, Shakeera Davis, Hilary Hager, Dina Weiss, Jacque (student - need full name a correct spelling)
Meeting was called to order at 2:09
Minutes from 2-24-09 meeting approved.
A. Grass Field Update:
Garcia: One delay has been the slope on the field, which causes flooding. In addition, there are other projects on the horizon through Prop S. District is asking us to be patient so projects can be done at the same time.
B. AM/PM Supervision: A concern came up about teachers not being out for supervision. It was determined that: 1) The red reminder cards are helpful 2) It would be helpful to have supervision spots closer to our rooms 3) Safe and Civil Schools to possibly work on the schedule, placement, and rotations.
C. RooTube (Patriotic Experience and student segments):
There has been some concerns about the Patriotic Experience not being very patriotic, and the student segments not being very clear. The lessons last year, using Power Point, were much easier for students to understand.
Spaniol: Project Wisdom is so meaty but the message is being lost in the silliness of the presentation.
Jacque: Some students say they aren't understanding the message from RooTube. Likes Power Point better than video.
Bernardino: Need to take the ELs into consideration. Would be nice to have a visual of the words.
Jay: We should have more guidelines for RooTube, then students can add their freedom of expression.
Cortes: RooTube has ventured too far from its original intention. Plus, shouldn't have RooTube on Tuesdays - not enough time.
Jay: Let's work on some new guidelines, and then show them to the RooTube class.
Lockwood: Can we also have standard guidelines for the timing - When it starts and the time limit for the Patriotic Experience?
Jacque: A prerecorded version might be better, like we had a few years ago, then it can loop all day.
Bottom-Line: 1) RooTube needs more guidelines. We will communicate ideas after the meeting and come to a decision 2) Compromise on Tuesdays and only show the Patriotic Experience and the Bulletin (plus the testing words until the CST).
D. Staff Meetings on Joint Days to strict 2 PM:
Several people have been concerned about the Tuesday whole staff meetings going past 2:00, which impacts the time we have for committee meetings, department meetings, etc. Today was good - out at 2:02. Brought up that we should revisit the meetings, and perhaps start earlier or make them shorter.
Garcia: Part of that meeting time is counting toward our Professional Dev. requirement so we need to continue to meet. It's also time for everyone to be updated, and to foster communication. We will work at ending at 2:00.
E. No field trips during end of March/beginning of April until CST:
Beginning next year, there won't be any field trips allowed beginning in February, through testing in April, so students do not miss important instruction prior to the CST. In addition, the CST/Academic Language will be introduced at the beginning of the year, so there are not so many words at once.
Dina Weiss, Project Director for Gear Up: She wants us to know that she understands and respects teachers' time and the importance of students not missing instruction during this time of the year. There were constraints this year because Gear Up didn't start until January. Next year, we can plan better with the Master Calendar to schedule events.
Jay: Will we be making exceptions for some field trips for some groups?
Bottom-Line: Exceptions will be made If there's no control over dates (like 6th grade camp and the ASB conference). Other field trips may not occur during this time.
F. Open Dialogue/Better Community Feeling:
A lengthy discussion took place, with several people giving input, about the lack of positive communication and a general "cloud" of unprofessionalism and disrepect on campus. The Secretary did not transcribe everyone's comments.
Bottom-Line: 1) We want Roosevelt to be a place where teachers (and staff in general) feel validated and respected. 2) We need to be nicer to each other and start to feel like more of a community. 3) We're not sure how to accomplish #1 and #2, but we can do little things, like sit with people we don't know at meetings and travel out of our safety zones, to open up to other people. 4) Dr. Garcia is considering a "Code of Ethics" for staff.
G. Update on Master Schedule:
Jay: Need clarification as to how we will have the vote for next year's master schedule.
Garcia: It is her understanding that there does not have to be a vote if the minutes aren't changing.
Abts: Trying to get clarification from SDEA on the voting issue. It seems to be in the realm of Shared Decision Making that we would vote, but the contract language is very fuzzy on the issue.
Cortes: We should be taking about the master schedule at SGT. There are the types of issues we should be discussing. There are different messages regarding the schedule.
Garcia: Proposing that we change the Minimum Day to Mon or Wed for next year. She is talking to San Diego High about it, since the bus schedule is an issue.
H. Roundtable:
Brown: "AttaBoys" to cheerleaders for reaching out to feeder schools - there will be a cheer clinic for those schools' students on Saturday, for the cheerleaders reaching the finals in Las Vegas, for Nelson and Whitney for coaching soccer all year, and to ALL the coaches for what they do for afterschool sports.
Lockwood: Noticed that the Pinnacle of Fitness also gave a boost to some kids academically - Benchmarks are today and tomorrow - Thanks to Daniza for organizing the pizza coupons for the benchmark - We are wrapping up Unit 3, all at slightly different points.
Boe: Let's all bring one idea to the next SGT meeting for Community Building across campus.
Garcia: "Hit Your Target" posters are coming - How about tacos at the next staff meeting? (Yes!)
Rambicure: We all went to a PE convention in San Jose - Matt and Bev are starting some MYP activities/projects in PE - Statewide testing is completed.
Christensen: Math Benchmark this week - Might cancel the "Tri-meeting" with SD High next week.
Abts: Let's think about doing something at the end of the year for retirees and others leaving
Shakeera Davis: Thank yous to Daniza an Spaniol. Gear Up tutoring continues during lunch MWF.
Weiss: Totally impressed with the people at this table - we are moving forward despite all that's going on in education right now
North: Piloting a computerized reading program called "Reading Plus" - Read 180 is not meeting the needs of many of our students, it was originally intended for ELs, Intermediate or higher - Will keep you posted on Reading Plus
Bernardino: Doing test prep in her classes
Ehrlich: Next ILT is Thursday - We will share out at the next staff meeting
Cortes: All of his students received their own copy of Frederick Douglas book - Thanks! - Trying to get through all of his curriculum - Thanks to Ms Jay for all of the rides and support during soccer, and thanks to Ms Brown for making soccer happen
Donavan: Hosting district World Language teachers here tomorrow - Testing 6th graders for language classes for next year
Spaniol: There's a lull in the library - Everyone is deep into their units
Jay: Went to Landfill on a field trip - Next Seminar Symposium is next Friday - Set up a blog for GATE trip
Present: Jennifer Jay, Carmen Garcia, Bobbe Abts, Debbie Christensen, Arlene Spaniol, Lucinda Bernardino, Beverly Rambicure, Stacy North, Allison Brown, Scott Lockwood, Sandy, Boe, Cheryl Wlodarski, Fran Donovan, Emma Ehrlich, Nelson Cortes, Rafael Ocampo, Shakeera Davis, Hilary Hager, Dina Weiss, Jacque (student - need full name a correct spelling)
Meeting was called to order at 2:09
Minutes from 2-24-09 meeting approved.
A. Grass Field Update:
Garcia: One delay has been the slope on the field, which causes flooding. In addition, there are other projects on the horizon through Prop S. District is asking us to be patient so projects can be done at the same time.
B. AM/PM Supervision:
A concern came up about teachers not being out for supervision. It was determined that: 1) The red reminder cards are helpful 2) It would be helpful to have supervision spots closer to our rooms 3) Safe and Civil Schools to possibly work on the schedule, placement, and rotations.
C. RooTube (Patriotic Experience and student segments):
There has been some concerns about the Patriotic Experience not being very patriotic, and the student segments not being very clear. The lessons last year, using Power Point, were much easier for students to understand.
Spaniol: Project Wisdom is so meaty but the message is being lost in the silliness of the presentation.
Jacque: Some students say they aren't understanding the message from RooTube. Likes Power Point better than video.
Bernardino: Need to take the ELs into consideration. Would be nice to have a visual of the words.
Jay: We should have more guidelines for RooTube, then students can add their freedom of expression.
Cortes: RooTube has ventured too far from its original intention. Plus, shouldn't have RooTube on Tuesdays - not enough time.
Jay: Let's work on some new guidelines, and then show them to the RooTube class.
Lockwood: Can we also have standard guidelines for the timing - When it starts and the time limit for the Patriotic Experience?
Jacque: A prerecorded version might be better, like we had a few years ago, then it can loop all day.
Bottom-Line: 1) RooTube needs more guidelines. We will communicate ideas after the meeting and come to a decision 2) Compromise on Tuesdays and only show the Patriotic Experience and the Bulletin (plus the testing words until the CST).
D. Staff Meetings on Joint Days to strict 2 PM:
Several people have been concerned about the Tuesday whole staff meetings going past 2:00, which impacts the time we have for committee meetings, department meetings, etc. Today was good - out at 2:02. Brought up that we should revisit the meetings, and perhaps start earlier or make them shorter.
Garcia: Part of that meeting time is counting toward our Professional Dev. requirement so we need to continue to meet. It's also time for everyone to be updated, and to foster communication. We will work at ending at 2:00.
E. No field trips during end of March/beginning of April until CST:
Beginning next year, there won't be any field trips allowed beginning in February, through testing in April, so students do not miss important instruction prior to the CST. In addition, the CST/Academic Language will be introduced at the beginning of the year, so there are not so many words at once.
Dina Weiss, Project Director for Gear Up: She wants us to know that she understands and respects teachers' time and the importance of students not missing instruction during this time of the year. There were constraints this year because Gear Up didn't start until January. Next year, we can plan better with the Master Calendar to schedule events.
Jay: Will we be making exceptions for some field trips for some groups?
Bottom-Line: Exceptions will be made If there's no control over dates (like 6th grade camp and the ASB conference). Other field trips may not occur during this time.
F. Open Dialogue/Better Community Feeling:
A lengthy discussion took place, with several people giving input, about the lack of positive communication and a general "cloud" of unprofessionalism and disrepect on campus. The Secretary did not transcribe everyone's comments.
Bottom-Line: 1) We want Roosevelt to be a place where teachers (and staff in general) feel validated and respected. 2) We need to be nicer to each other and start to feel like more of a community. 3) We're not sure how to accomplish #1 and #2, but we can do little things, like sit with people we don't know at meetings and travel out of our safety zones, to open up to other people. 4) Dr. Garcia is considering a "Code of Ethics" for staff.
G. Update on Master Schedule:
Jay: Need clarification as to how we will have the vote for next year's master schedule.
Garcia: It is her understanding that there does not have to be a vote if the minutes aren't changing.
Abts: Trying to get clarification from SDEA on the voting issue. It seems to be in the realm of Shared Decision Making that we would vote, but the contract language is very fuzzy on the issue.
Cortes: We should be taking about the master schedule at SGT. There are the types of issues we should be discussing. There are different messages regarding the schedule.
Garcia: Proposing that we change the Minimum Day to Mon or Wed for next year. She is talking to San Diego High about it, since the bus schedule is an issue.
H. Roundtable:
Brown: "AttaBoys" to cheerleaders for reaching out to feeder schools - there will be a cheer clinic for those schools' students on Saturday, for the cheerleaders reaching the finals in Las Vegas, for Nelson and Whitney for coaching soccer all year, and to ALL the coaches for what they do for afterschool sports.
Lockwood: Noticed that the Pinnacle of Fitness also gave a boost to some kids academically - Benchmarks are today and tomorrow - Thanks to Daniza for organizing the pizza coupons for the benchmark - We are wrapping up Unit 3, all at slightly different points.
Boe: Let's all bring one idea to the next SGT meeting for Community Building across campus.
Garcia: "Hit Your Target" posters are coming - How about tacos at the next staff meeting? (Yes!)
Rambicure: We all went to a PE convention in San Jose - Matt and Bev are starting some MYP activities/projects in PE - Statewide testing is completed.
Christensen: Math Benchmark this week - Might cancel the "Tri-meeting" with SD High next week.
Abts: Let's think about doing something at the end of the year for retirees and others leaving
Shakeera Davis: Thank yous to Daniza an Spaniol. Gear Up tutoring continues during lunch MWF.
Weiss: Totally impressed with the people at this table - we are moving forward despite all that's going on in education right now
North: Piloting a computerized reading program called "Reading Plus" - Read 180 is not meeting the needs of many of our students, it was originally intended for ELs, Intermediate or higher - Will keep you posted on Reading Plus
Bernardino: Doing test prep in her classes
Ehrlich: Next ILT is Thursday - We will share out at the next staff meeting
Cortes: All of his students received their own copy of Frederick Douglas book - Thanks! - Trying to get through all of his curriculum - Thanks to Ms Jay for all of the rides and support during soccer, and thanks to Ms Brown for making soccer happen
Donavan: Hosting district World Language teachers here tomorrow - Testing 6th graders for language classes for next year
Spaniol: There's a lull in the library - Everyone is deep into their units
Jay: Went to Landfill on a field trip - Next Seminar Symposium is next Friday - Set up a blog for GATE trip